Thanks for the input EDMaddict & KG Jag.  I enjoyed the Grados / Alessandros that I owned, but found the metal cups to be a bit heavy for extended sessions.  Comfort / cable length are the biggest issues with the Grado / Allesandro offerings.  I'm leaning towards the X2 or the 598 / 600 after...

I just found a new job doing repair work and i'm looking forward to buying a new pair of headphones to travel with my work station. I need to be able to hear the phone, so i'm leaning towards an open design. My coworkers use speakers so i'm sure it won't be an issue and non-ear bleed levels...

I'm looking to buy a new pair of IEMs to be paired with my Sansa Clip + and a fresh Rock Box installation.  Ideally I am looking for something with a good amount of treble energy, mid-range, and I prefer a fast accurate bass response to overly bass heavy signatures.  Ideally I would like to be...

I previously owned a pair of Alessandro MS2i's but found them to be a little fatiguing due to their all metal construction, the weight simply made long listening sessions uncomfortable.  So i'm thinking of picking up a set of Alessandro MS1's or Grado SR125's and an amp.  The only question I run...

I'm curious what the general consensus is as i'm looking to upgrade my DAC / sound card and amp for use with a pair of Alessandro MS-2i's. My computer will obviously be the source so i'm wondering whether a DAC or sound card would be better suited in the $100 - $150 ($200 is stretching if its...

Alright, so a decent all in one would be good vs two seperates? I would prefer an all in one if they're on par within the same price constraints. I could stretch my budget to $200ish if it means a significant improvement. I'm just trying to avoid the law of diminishing returns as much as...

Thanks for the advice. Any recommendations on a DAC in the $100 - $150 range? Trying to find the best price / performance ratio.

Well considering my MS2i's are lower impedance i'm thinking they wouldn't benefit as much from amping, and so DAC or source. I haven't read much on the sound card influence with headphones though, so I thought i'd ask.

I'm thinking of upgrading my desktop and was wondering if an upgrade to the sound card or amp or (most likely) DAC would be more beneficial to my MS2i's. I'm thinking the DAC but any input is appreciated.

From what i've been able to find / personal experience Grados are great for rock / metal. The problem is as you get better headphones you start to notice flaws with the recordings, because these tracks are often remastered with only loudness in mind. Quality therefore suffers and...you can tell...

I'm looking into an amp and DAC for a set of Alessandro MS2i's. The source is a laptop and thus the DAC necessity. I was thinking maybe an Alien USB DAC and a Little Dot tube amp. If you could point me in the right direction as to what matches well with these cans I would appreciate it, thanks...

All i'm thinking is as much as I love my SR-60's I could just save up and grab a RS-325i or RS-2

Its not too bad of a source, its something that I honestly think i'd rather upgrade later. I mean with lower impedance headphones like the Grado's it seems like an amp / DAC would be a better upgrade down the road. So what do you guys think SR-225 or is the extra worth it for the SR-325i?

So do you think that a Little Dot I+ & USB DAC (Laptop is the source) and keeping the SR-60's would be better than the SR-225's or SR-325i's unamped? Or rather a better purchase.

I currently have a pair of Grado SR-60's and i've got about $200 to spend in whatever the most noticeable way to improve the sound is. I listen to metal almost exclusively and I live in a dorm room. So I figure headphones (or an amp) would be the best option since I don't have to worry about...